Discourse as infrastructure: How “New Infrastructure” policies re-infrastructure China

The term “New Infrastructure” has been highlighted in China’s recent policies. It refers to a set of new, and expanding, policies the discourse surrounding them which support development facilities, equipment, systems derived from latest technologies, including 5G Internet Things, AI, cloud computing, data centers. This article reviews New Infrastructure policies, analyzing their specific discursive ontologies how they relate major state projects “re-infrastructure” economy. introduces concept “discursive infrastructure” argues that redefine recategorize infrastructure themselves serve as form infrastructure. Key is recognition relies on mutually constitutive material semiotic dimensions dialectically reproduces both symbols progress positive infrastructural imaginaries. Drawing an analysis policy documents other materials, tracks Infrastructure’s fetish-like existence unravels multiple political modalities, well varying efficacies, are manifested through publics generate. likewise reveals some emerging conflicts appear across different contexts, showing critical gaps between imaginaries actualities, all have profound effect re-infrastructured China.